New Cruise Tax in Hawaii: What Vacationers Need to Know

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Vacationers who have booked a cruise with stops in Hawaii from 2026 onwards should be prepared for unexpected costs. The state has introduced a new tax, known as the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), which now also applies to cruise passengers. The new regulation, which comes into effect on January 1, 2026, has already caused a stir, especially among guests of Disney Cruise Line.

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The tax consists of an 11 percent state TAT and a local levy of up to 3 percent, resulting in a total charge of up to 14 percent. This is applied to the prorated cabin price for the days the ship spends in a Hawaiian port.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted by notices from Disney Cruise Line (DCL) to its guests. Many passengers on the Disney Wonder who have booked a cruise with Hawaiian stops in February 2026 were notified just weeks before the final payment deadline. They are now facing unexpected surcharges of $400 to $450 or more per family. Those who do not pay the additional costs on time risk the cancellation of their entire booking and the forfeiture of their initial deposit.

The affected Disney Wonder sailings are concluding their winter season in the South Pacific before repositioning to Alaska. Two routes are particularly impacted: the February 2, 2026, sailing from Sydney to Honolulu with a stop in Nawiliwili on Kauai, and the 10-night route on February 16, 2026, from Honolulu to Vancouver, which includes stops at several Hawaiian ports, including Nawiliwili, Maui, and Hilo.

The amount of the tax is not a flat fee but depends on the individual cabin price and the duration of the stay in port. This means that passengers who have booked more expensive cabins will bear a proportionally higher cost.

The new tax, often called a "Green Fee," aims to generate funds for environmental and climate protection as well as sustainable tourism in Hawaii. The government seeks to financially equalize cruise guests with land-based tourists, as ships effectively function as floating hotels during their port calls.

Governor Josh Green views this legislation as the first step of its kind in the US and hopes it will generate about $100 million annually.

The cruise industry is pushing back against the new tax. The industry association Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Hawaii. The lawsuit is based on the US Constitution and various federal laws, arguing that the tax constitutes an illegal levy on ships.

The outcome of the lawsuit is critical, as it could set a precedent for the entire cruise industry in the United States. If Hawaii wins in court, other states could follow and introduce similar fees. The industry fears that the additional costs could lead cruise passengers to choose alternative vacation destinations in the future.